Friday
January 26, 1968
1 P.M.

Dear Larry:

Just got through cleaning house and mopping the kitchen floor, right now I am sitting under a hair dryer that Joanna and I bought to dry our hair quick when we wash it. It sure comes in handy when we are in a hurry. I am also watching my stories [Love of Life] on T.V. That story about Tess and Randolf, well they are back from their honeymoon, its not much about them anymore, they seem to be getting along OK for now, but I imagine they will be having trouble because that Bill still likes Tess and I think she likes him. She acts like she is happily married, but she still talks about Bill. Will write you more about it when its about them.

The mailman just went by, but not mail from you. I realize you probably don’t have time to write every night, but I can’t believe that you can’t write us a letter at least twice a week. We are just as anxious to hear from you as you are from us.

How is everything with you? Are they still keeping you busy on the rifle range? How are you doing with your basic training? We would like to know what you are doing and how you are getting along.

By the way, I got the telephone bill this week and it cost $1.20 for your first call you made home. I didn’t mind paying for that, but on top of that there were 6 calls to Mechanicsburg on the bill. That means that you owe me $1.00 for long distance calls. The total bill was for $7.85.

Carol is home from school today, it’s the end of the semester. Karl is home also, he was still running a fever this morning, so I hated to send him to school. I gave him aspirin so he is feeling much better now, at least he is eating now.

How is the weather your way? Here it isn’t bad. The snow has melted, but according to the weather man, we are supposed to have rain or snow tonight.

What do you do there on Sundays when you are off? Do you get to go off base? Write and tell us what is going on. It sure seems funny around here not having your friends around. Sometimes I think you should be coming in the door. Just think, it was 3 wks. yesterday that you left. To me it seems longer than that.

Did you ever hear from any of your friends?

Well, it is almost time for “World Turns” so I will have to stop. The letter with this one is Karl’s. He wrote it yesterday. I tried to get Joanna and Carol to write, maybe they will one of these days. So until later, I hope to hear from you soon.

Love Mom

P.S. As far as I know, we will be home Sunday, in case you call.

1:30 [January 25, 1968]

Dear Larry,

You probably got my last letter two days ago. Mom is frying chicken and I am in the living room in the yellow chair writing to you. The television is on and mom is watching the “World Turns.” I am sick today. Me and mom are the only ones home. I got up to go to school this morning. I told mom I felt sick. Finally I decided not to go to school. I was lying down most of the day doing nothing so I thought I might as well write. Mom just lied down and told me to wake her up at 2:00. It is a quarter till so I’d better be going.

Yours, Karl

P.S. Mom will write today.